1
as in extending
to extend outwards from or as if from a central point
The suburbs sprawl for miles beyond the city's downtown.
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2
as in sitting
to rest with the arms and legs spread out
There's no feeling like sprawling out on your bed after a hard day's work.
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of sprawling
Sefton joined the Army's Ukraine Lessons Learned Task Force, which has the job of translating experience from Ukraine's scrappy fighting force to America's sprawling military.
—
Holly Williams, CBS News, 29 Mar. 2026
As agencies recover from that recent blow, issues of regional collaboration, local needs and limited funding have come to a head in sprawling, fast-growing metro areas ill-suited for efficient mass transit.
—Lilly Kersh, Dallas Morning News, 28 Mar. 2026
Yet according to confidential banking records and corporate documents reviewed by the Miami Herald, this unassuming address is one of several South Florida locations at the center of a sprawling financial network that moved at least $260 million connected to Argentina’s top soccer authority.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 27 Mar. 2026
Peltz build just such a glass court on his sprawling seaside lawn.
—Pat Beall, Sun Sentinel, 27 Mar. 2026
Minnesota got the game’s first power play and the second unit did everything but score, with Vladimir Tarasenko hitting the post with a long-range shot, and Marcus Johansson’s swipe at the rebound foiled by a sprawling arm save.
—Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 27 Mar. 2026
Stepping up to this Samsung 32-inch work monitor will feel like your digital life finally moved out of a studio apartment and into a sprawling loft.
—Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 27 Mar. 2026
Later this year, Immigration and Customs Enforcement will begin operating a sprawling detention center out of what is currently an empty industrial warehouse.
—Lautaro Grinspan, AJC.com, 27 Mar. 2026
Michael Winterbottom followed in 2023 with Shoshana (a film that premiered a full month before the horrors of October 7), and last year saw Cherien Dabis’s sprawling epic All That’s Left of You make the Oscar shortlist.
—Damon Wise, Deadline, 27 Mar. 2026
Holly Williams, CBS News, 29 Mar. 2026
As agencies recover from that recent blow, issues of regional collaboration, local needs and limited funding have come to a head in sprawling, fast-growing metro areas ill-suited for efficient mass transit.
—Lilly Kersh, Dallas Morning News, 28 Mar. 2026
Yet according to confidential banking records and corporate documents reviewed by the Miami Herald, this unassuming address is one of several South Florida locations at the center of a sprawling financial network that moved at least $260 million connected to Argentina’s top soccer authority.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 27 Mar. 2026
Peltz build just such a glass court on his sprawling seaside lawn.
—Pat Beall, Sun Sentinel, 27 Mar. 2026
Minnesota got the game’s first power play and the second unit did everything but score, with Vladimir Tarasenko hitting the post with a long-range shot, and Marcus Johansson’s swipe at the rebound foiled by a sprawling arm save.
—Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 27 Mar. 2026
Stepping up to this Samsung 32-inch work monitor will feel like your digital life finally moved out of a studio apartment and into a sprawling loft.
—Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 27 Mar. 2026
Later this year, Immigration and Customs Enforcement will begin operating a sprawling detention center out of what is currently an empty industrial warehouse.
—Lautaro Grinspan, AJC.com, 27 Mar. 2026
Michael Winterbottom followed in 2023 with Shoshana (a film that premiered a full month before the horrors of October 7), and last year saw Cherien Dabis’s sprawling epic All That’s Left of You make the Oscar shortlist.
—Damon Wise, Deadline, 27 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sprawling
Verb
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Congress anticipated those rising costs and debated extending the enhanced premium tax credits toward the end of last year.—
Max Klaver,
Miami Herald,
31 Mar. 2026
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San Antonio had six players score in double figures while extending its lead to 29 points in the third quarter.—
CBS Chicago Team,
CBS News,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The Warriors’ coach was sitting behind his alma mater Arizona’s bench.—
Cam Inman,
Mercury News,
27 Mar. 2026
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With average credit card rates still hovering above 21% and household debt sitting at record levels, more borrowers are having a tough time paying what's owed — and as a result, more creditors are taking a serious approach to collection, including legal action.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Analysts say the targeting of universities, and Iran’s threats of retaliation against academic institutions abroad, point to a widening conflict and potentially diverging objectives among the parties involved.—
Adam Pourahmadi,
CNN Money,
31 Mar. 2026
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The survey demonstrated residents had diverging views on what McCarty’s ballot measure hoped to address.—
Ishani Desai,
Sacbee.com,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Girlfriend scales the diaristic, bric-a-brac charm of Janky Star into a high-drama pop monument to trying, flopping, and trying even harder next time.—
Hattie Lindert,
Pitchfork,
20 Mar. 2026
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Cutting stems back by one-third their height will help plants resist flopping under the weight of the flowers.—
Megan Hughes,
Better Homes & Gardens,
14 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Major insulin makers Eli Lilly, Sanofi and Novo Nordisk also have moved to cut the cost of insulin, with different combinations of cutting list prices, capping out-of-pocket costs and expanding affordability.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
2 Apr. 2026
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The golden arches is expanding its McValue offerings with an under $3 menu and a $4 breakfast meal deal starting on April 21.—
Erin Clements,
PEOPLE,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Such is the fine line Erik Spoelstra’s team is straddling between playoffs and lottery.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
25 Mar. 2026
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Van Rijn, Brand later discovered, was straddling two sides.—
Rebecca Rosman,
NPR,
21 Mar. 2026
Verb
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There’s a bohemian vibe radiating from Serena & Lily’s Kittery rug, but the rigid grid motif lends the design some structure, a detail that can appeal to more formal design personalities.—
Julia Harrison,
Architectural Digest,
17 Mar. 2026
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Grayson is a strong and beautiful presence, radiating warmth, humor, and style, and sporting a wide range of talents.—
Heide Janssen,
Oc Register,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Ion has been squatting in the basement of an apartment building, which is set to be levelled to make way for a luxury hotel called the Kontinental Boutique.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
27 Mar. 2026
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Slate had a history of squatting in the building, threatening residents, and acting in an erratic fashion, according to the Cook County State's Attorney's office.—
Tara Molina,
CBS News,
23 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sprawling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sprawling. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
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